The Hay
Alert website is a resource for farmers in need of hay to connect with those who have hay or forage for
sale, for arranging transportation if needed and/or transport with suppliers. This site will list
names, addresses and other pertinent information.
(During non-emergency conditions, the department encourages hay buyers and sellers to consider advertising in the Agricultural Review, the department's free monthly publication. Ads are free.)

NO SALES OR TRANSACTIONS ARE MADE ON THIS WEBSITE. The NCDA&CS assumes no liability for buyers/sellers who
utilize this site to create their transactions. To list your name as a buyer or seller, complete the online
application when you select the Submit Your Ad link below. The NCDA&CS reminds you not to depend on this resource
as your sole method to obtain feed/hay. Please continue to research other avenues to obtain feed as well.

A word of caution to Hay Alert users: We recently heard from a hay seller who was contacted by a prospective buyer in Kansas. The prospective customer provided no contact information beyond an email address. The seller received a check from the buyer. Before shipping the hay, the seller attempted to cash the check at a bank. The bank said the check was fraudulent.

This is similar to scams that have been circulating for years. The way they work is that a potential buyer sends the seller a fake cashier’s check, made out for more than the agreed upon selling price. Then the “buyer” claims to have made a mistake and asks the seller to wire the difference back or write a check to refund the over-payment. The seller deposits the check, the bank credits the account, and the seller assumes the check has cleared. So the seller wires or mails the requested funds. But, subsequently, the “buyer’s” check bounces, and the bank reduces the seller’s account by the wired amount.

There are ways to spot these scams. The emails usually have multiple misspellings, poor grammar and often look like form letters. The “buyer” typically sends a check and pressures the seller to deposit it quickly and send the refund or forward payment to a third party.

If you suspect a scam, please contact the N.C. Department of Justice at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) or 919-716-6000.